Phantasy Star Online 2 free to play on Vita, PC, iOS, and Android

The world dreamed a beautiful dream twelve years ago, and that dream lives on in the hearts and minds of obsessive Dreamcast fans to this day. Sega’s last console has enjoyed a renewed presence in recent years thanks to digital re-releases of some of its more eccentric titles including Space Channel 5, Crazy Taxi, and, coming this summer, graffiti fantasia Jet Set Radio. One of the Dreamcast’s pioneering titles is getting a full on sequel though. Phantasy Star Online 2 will be out on PCs, iPhones, iPads, and Android handhelds by the end of the year with a Vita version to follow in 2013.

Just as the original Phantasy Star Online embraced the evolving world of games, so too will its sequel. Sega confirmed that Phantasy Star Online 2 will be free to play.

As with other freemium games, Phantasy Star Online 2 will be free to download as well as play, but players will pay for goods in the game. Want your pig-tailed space adventurer to rock some sweet support Mags? That’ll be a few dollars.

Not all versions will be the same. While the PC and Vita versions will be identical and allow for cross-platform play, the iOS and Android versions will offer a more “simple” and “personal” experience according to a report at Andriasang. These mobile versions will also have simpler controls, character creation tools, and will have social elements.